UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental championship.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
